Sri Lanka earn World Cup spot with big win over Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka had a few nervous moments against associate nations like Scotland and Netherlands in the World Cup Qualifiers in Bulawayo and there were worries as to how they’d go against the in form Zimbabwe when both the unbeaten teams in the competition met yesterday. But the former champions thrashed the hosts by nine wickets with more than 15 overs to spare to maintain their unbeaten run.

More importantly, now they are certain of a place in this year’s World Cup in India and their last second round game against West indies becomes a dead rubber.It is the bowlers who had given the former champions the edge in the competition, and it was the same story yesterday as Dilshan Madushanka sent down a probing spell of left-arm swing bowling before Maheesh Theekshana ran through the middle order to finish with four wickets.

Zimbabwe lost three wickets inside the first ten overs as Sri Lanka opted to bowl first in helpful conditions. Madushanka should have had a fourth wicket in his first spell, but Sean Williams was dropped by Matheesha Pathirana, who featured in the game replacing the injured Lahiru Kumara.

A 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Sikandar Raza and Williams steadied the Zimbabwe innings briefly but skipper Dasun Shanaka produced the breakthrough and from thereon Theekshana took over.

Bowling wicket to wicket Theekshana dismissed Williams for 56 and the big hit Ryan Burl in his next over.Then Pathirana took two wickets in an over to bury Zimbabwe.During the run chase, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka added 103 runs for the first wicket to ensure that the batting department didn’t spoil the excellent work of the bowlers.

The partnership was broken when Karunaratne attempted a pull shot and was caught at deep fine leg. Kusal Mendis joined Karunaratne and knocked off the required 63 runs without anymore drama.Nissanka went onto post hist second ODI hundred and scored the winning runs. His 101 came off 102 balls with 14 boundaries. Mendis was unbeaten on 25 off 45 balls.

West Indies are out of the World Cup after shocking defeats to Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Scotland.Those three teams are now now vying for the remaining spot in the World Cup.The sport’s showpiece event will take place in India starting in October.